Today marks the 85th birthday of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist and founder of Grameen Bank. Born on June 28, 1940, in Bathua village, Chattogram, Dr. Yunus began his career as a lecturer in economics in 1961. During the Liberation War, he formed a citizens’ committee in the U.S. to garner international support for Bangladesh. In 1983, he founded Grameen Bank, pioneering microcredit as a tool for poverty alleviation. He received numerous accolades including the Independence Award (1987) and the Nobel Peace Prize (2006). Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam wished him well on social media.

An Israeli pilot who participated in bombing missions over Iranian nuclear and strategic sites has described Tehran as “a beautiful city from the sky.” In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, the anonymous pilot reflected on the intense operations: “The past few days felt like an entire year—filled with ups and downs, joy, and uncertainty.” He revealed that Israeli forces had long prepared for action against Iran, hoping it would never be necessary. Despite the dangers, including potential missile strikes near his home, he kept the mission confidential even from close family and friends.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur hosted a vibrant "Bangladesh Festival" on Thursday, showcasing the country’s rich heritage through music, dance, fashion, and traditional cuisine. Held at the Craft Complex, the event featured cultural performances and exhibits, including traditional rickshaws and crafts. A documentary on Bangladesh’s development journey was also screened. Malaysia’s Ministry of Culture Secretary-General, YBhg Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot, attended as the guest of honor.

A military research institute in China has developed a mosquito-sized surveillance drone, designed specifically for covert operations. Researchers at the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in Hunan Province have unveiled a bio-inspired robotic drone featuring ultra-thin legs and dual wings, controlled via smartphone. “The robot closely resembles a mosquito and is highly suited for surveillance and military missions,” said Liang Hexiang, a student at NUDT. Similar drone technology mimicking mosquitoes has also reportedly been developed in the United States.

Delegates from six member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on Friday morning. Notably, India and Afghanistan did not participate in the ceremony.

The delegation was led by Dr. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank. After laying floral tributes, the representatives observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the fallen heroes. Delegates from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Bhutan's Governor Dasho Penjore emphasized the strong bilateral ties between Bhutan and Bangladesh. “We feel honored to pay tribute to the brave martyrs of Bangladesh,” he stated.

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible relaxation of oil sanctions on Iran, although the "maximum pressure" policy remains in effect. Speaking at a NATO summit, Trump stated, “Iran will need money to return to normalcy, and we want that to happen.”

However, the White House clarified that this does not mean formal withdrawal of sanctions—rather, the enforcement level may shift depending on circumstances. Earlier, Trump had said that following a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, China may be allowed to purchase oil from Iran.

An Israeli court has rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to postpone court hearings in his ongoing corruption trial.

Netanyahu’s legal team had sought a two-week delay, citing national security responsibilities following a 12-day conflict with Iran. However, the Jerusalem District Court ruled that the request lacked sufficient justification and declined to grant the delay.

The Prime Minister currently faces three separate corruption cases.

With the current Ganges water-sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh set to expire next year, India is pushing for a revised agreement that would allow it to draw an additional 30,000 to 35,000 cusecs of water during the dry season (March 11 – May 11).

Under the existing treaty, both countries are entitled to 35,000 cusecs every 10 days during this period. Citing agricultural demands, India—along with support from the West Bengal state government—is seeking to increase its share, according to The Economic Times.

Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has confirmed the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals in connection with terrorism-related offenses. The arrests were made during a three-phase security operation launched on April 24 in the Selangor and Johor states.

Of those detained, five individuals have been formally charged with terrorism offenses, while 15 others are set to be deported. The remaining 16 are currently under investigation for alleged ties to the extremist group ISIS.

The Minister emphasized that Malaysia will take a zero-tolerance approach toward any attempt to use the country as a base or transit point for extremist activities.

Many young Rohingya men sheltering in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are expressing readiness to take up arms and return to Myanmar.
“We will not stay here. We will go back to Myanmar. We will fight alongside the Arakan Army. We want independence,” said one Rohingya youth in the camps.
Another young man stated that both the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) are working together “for the cause of jihad.”
According to testimonies, at least four groups are actively recruiting and inciting refugees to join armed rebellion or “holy war.” These groups are ARSA, RSO, the Islamic Mahaz, and the Arakan Rohingya Army.
This growing unity among Rohingya factions preparing for armed resistance has raised alarm among international observers, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Tehran Times has reported that Israel planned to stage a destructive attack within the United States and falsely implicate Iran to sway American public opinion in favor of military action. Iranian officials said they uncovered the plot after receiving intelligence from an allied nation. According to the report, Tehran warned U.S. authorities and helped prevent the planned explosion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of publishing a deliberately politicized and alarmist report under pressure from Western powers. He claimed the document was intended to give Israel a pretext for military action against Iran. Lavrov said the proposal was drafted amid intense lobbying from the UK, France, Germany, and later the United States. He further argued the report contained vague language that Western nations exploited for their own interests. Notably, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted an anti-Iran resolution on June 12, and Israel launched military strikes the following day.

Washington is prepared to offer Iran a package of significant incentives in exchange for halting uranium enrichment altogether. According to CNN, the United States could provide $30 billion in support for civilian nuclear energy production, lift sanctions on Tehran, and return frozen Iranian funds. Despite the recent flare-up of hostilities between Iran and Israel, American and Middle Eastern officials have held behind-the-scenes talks with Iranian representatives over the past two weeks. Last Friday, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Gulf allies at the White House to discuss the proposal. The main condition: Iran must reduce uranium enrichment to zero.

Iran has not made any decision to resume nuclear talks with the United States, said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, dismissing claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

“There are currently no indirect talks with the U.S.,” said Araghchi. “Even when the U.S. supported Israeli attacks on Iran and directly bombed our nuclear sites, they were still attempting negotiations.”

He added, “They tried to lure us into giving up our national rights. In times of crisis, they enabled Zionist aggression and pushed us toward war. During negotiations, they betrayed diplomacy. These experiences will guide Iran’s decisions regarding any future nuclear talks.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that the country had considered targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during recent military escalations, but found no viable opportunity. When asked whether the U.S. had been consulted, Katz said, "We do not require U.S. approval for such actions." In response, Khamenei declared that Israel’s "fake Zionist regime has been defeated in war" and claimed Iran has "slapped the U.S. in the face."